Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion (H. arizonensis) vs Emperor Scorpion (P. imperator)/Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus genus) for first pet scorpion

[ScorpionEvo687]

I'm considering getting myself a pet scorpion sometime in the near future but I'm split between a Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion or an Emperor Scorpion (or Asian Forest Scorpion if I can't find an actual Emperor Scorpion at a reasonable price since they look almost identical). I'm currently leaning towards the Giant Desert Hairy as it's my understanding that they're hardier (require less humidity) and live longer (15-20 yrs for the H. arizonensis vs 6-8 yrs for the P. imperator) + they're more readily available and less expensive than actual Emperors and I think I like the look of the Desert Hairy slightly more (although a big black scorpion would still be pretty cool). That said, it does sound as though Emperor Scorpions (and Asian Forest Scorpions) tend to be less defensive than Desert Hairy Scorpions so in that sense they may be more suitable for a beginner, although since I don't intend to handle it much if at all I wonder if that really matters much. What do you guys think would make for a better first pet scorpion? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[CRX]

Desert Hairys are often recommended for newbies and while they can be easy to keep, there is some important steps that most newbs won't be willing/want to do. If you want it to thrive, they require a pre-made setup of sand and excavator clay (multiple pet brands sell it, like Zoo-Med). You have to fill the douse the entire substrate mix in water and let it dry, I think it takes 2 or 3 weeks to dry because it has to be deep.

An AFS or an emperor is easier to care for, the only thing they need is humidity and a deep moist substrate. For them, I like to do a mix of reptisoil/top soil/peat/coco fiber and a little bit of sand, like 80% dirt and 20% sand. Also of note: AFS and emps have basically the same care. AFS are a bit feistier, but I've handled mine before and while he does pinch I've never seem him use his stinger. AFS are gonna be easier to find and cheaper than finding a real emp. And for their substrate, I can't stress enough how it needs to be moist throughout. You should not be able to see any dryness at all.

 

[Dry Desert]

I'm considering getting myself a pet scorpion sometime in the near future but I'm split between a Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion or an Emperor Scorpion (or Asian Forest Scorpion if I can't find an actual Emperor Scorpion at a reasonable price since they look almost identical). I'm currently leaning towards the Giant Desert Hairy as it's my understanding that they're hardier (require less humidity) and live longer (15-20 yrs for the H. arizonensis vs 6-8 yrs for the P. imperator) + they're more readily available and less expensive than actual Emperors and I think I like the look of the Desert Hairy slightly more (although a big black scorpion would still be pretty cool). That said, it does sound as though Emperor Scorpions (and Asian Forest Scorpions) tend to be less defensive than Desert Hairy Scorpions so in that sense they may be more suitable for a beginner, although since I don't intend to handle it much if at all I wonder if that really matters much. What do you guys think would make for a better first pet scorpion? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Emperors,
If keep correctly they will be happy chapies and burrow deep and you will hardly ever see them.
Hence the title of " pet holes ".
AFS.
Don't tend to burrow so much, and are more surface active, and in looks are very similar to Emperors.

Desert Hairies.
Usually sold as adults due to the fact that young ones are a PIA to get through molts successfully unless you have a very elaborate set up.
You also have to be very wary of possible Mycosis if humidity is too high.

For first time I would recommend AFS, if you purchase H.spinifer they are the largest and compare in size to the others.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

Desert Hairys are often recommended for newbies and while they can be easy to keep, there is some important steps that most newbs won't be willing/want to do. If you want it to thrive, they require a pre-made setup of sand and excavator clay (multiple pet brands sell it, like Zoo-Med). You have to fill the douse the entire substrate mix in water and let it dry, I think it takes 2 or 3 weeks to dry because it has to be deep.

An AFS or an emperor is easier to care for, the only thing they need is humidity and a deep moist substrate. For them, I like to do a mix of reptisoil/top soil/peat/coco fiber and a little bit of sand, like 80% dirt and 20% sand. Also of note: AFS and emps have basically the same care. AFS are a bit feistier, but I've handled mine before and while he does pinch I've never seem him use his stinger. AFS are gonna be easier to find and cheaper than finding a real emp. And for their substrate, I can't stress enough how it needs to be moist throughout. You should not be able to see any dryness at all.

You mention that Desert Hairy Scorpions, if you want them to thrive and not merely survive, will need a mix of sand and excavator clay and that it has to be deep - My question is if they will burrow deep and become pet holes the way true Emperors will according to user Dry Desert because I want a scorpion that will be active and out in the open. Not just burrow away to the point I'll rarely ever see them. Regardless of which scorpion I get, I will decorate it's enclosure and give it plenty of spaces to hide, but I'm hoping it will stay more towards the surface so it is more easily viewable. If both true Emperors and Desert Hairys will just burrow away, I may lean more towards an AFS. Idk.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

Emperors,
If keep correctly they will be happy chapies and burrow deep and you will hardly ever see them.
Hence the title of " pet holes ".
AFS.
Don't tend to burrow so much, and are more surface active, and in looks are very similar to Emperors.

Desert Hairies.
Usually sold as adults due to the fact that young ones are a PIA to get through molts successfully unless you have a very elaborate set up.
You also have to be very wary of possible Mycosis if humidity is too high.

For first time I would recommend AFS, if you purchase H.spinifer they are the largest and compare in size to the others.

You mention that Desert Hairies are typically sold as adults as young scorps of said species tend to be a pain to get through molts, and that's perfectly fine since I'd most likely want an adult scorpion anyways, but my question now is whether WC is okay or not cause it seems adult and sub adult specimens are rarely sold captive bred. I found WC sub adult specimens of H. arizonensis for $30 and WC sub adult & adult specimens of H. anzaborrego (a closely related species that looks almost identical) for $50 on pinchersandpokies.com (which appears to be a reputable dealer of scorpions & other inverts) but no captive bred specimens. They specifically mention in the description "***These are WC and may be imperfect***" but I wonder how much I'd really have to worry about it since at the very least they are a reputable dealer unlike places like Backwater Reptiles and Underground Reptiles which are notorious for shipping sick and sometimes even dead animals. Also, you mention I have to be wary of possibly Mycosis if humidity is too high w/ regards to Desert Hairys, but won't I also have to worry about potential health issues if humidity is too low with regards to Emperors & AFS? And, since substrate is to be kept quite moist w/ Emperors & AFS, won't I have to worry about mold in the scenario that it is kept too moist? I kinda feel like it would be easier to keep an enclosure bone dry for a Desert Hairy than have to keep an exclosure moist (but not TOO moist) for an Emperor or ASF but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[William Dawson]

You mention that Desert Hairies are typically sold as adults as young scorps of said species tend to be a pain to get through molts, and that's perfectly fine since I'd most likely want an adult scorpion anyways, but my question now is whether WC is okay or not cause it seems adult and sub adult specimens are rarely sold captive bred. I found WC sub adult specimens of H. arizonensis for $30 and WC sub adult & adult specimens of H. anzaborrego (a closely related species that looks almost identical) for $50 on pinchersandpokies.com (which appears to be a reputable dealer of scorpions & other inverts) but no captive bred specimens. They specifically mention in the description "***These are WC and may be imperfect***" but I wonder how much I'd really have to worry about it since at the very least they are a reputable dealer unlike places like Backwater Reptiles and Underground Reptiles which are notorious for shipping sick and sometimes even dead animals. Also, you mention I have to be wary of possibly Mycosis if humidity is too high w/ regards to Desert Hairys, but won't I also have to worry about potential health issues if humidity is too low with regards to Emperors & AFS? And, since substrate is to be kept quite moist w/ Emperors & AFS, won't I have to worry about mold in the scenario that it is kept too moist? I kinda feel like it would be easier to keep an enclosure bone dry for a Desert Hairy than have to keep an exclosure moist (but not TOO moist) for an Emperor or ASF but maybe I'm wrong.

As long as you keep the humidity at a consistent level, it shouldn't mold. It's more likely for a dry substrate with a bit of water to grow mold, so there's more difficulty with the hairy desert scorpion, because they do still need some water even if it's barely any.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

As long as you keep the humidity at a consistent level, it shouldn't mold. It's more likely for a dry substrate with a bit of water to grow mold, so there's more difficulty with the hairy desert scorpion, because they do still need some water even if it's barely any.

I'd likely give the Desert Hairy a small shallow water dish in it's enclosure. Nothing terribly big. Would the scorpion be terribly likely to splash around in a small water bowl and muck up it's substrate in doing so?

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

As long as you keep the humidity at a consistent level, it shouldn't mold. It's more likely for a dry substrate with a bit of water to grow mold, so there's more difficulty with the hairy desert scorpion, because they do still need some water even if it's barely any.

Also, I know some people like to keep 1 or 2 Blue Death Feigning Beetles w/ their Desert Hairy Scorpions as the scorpions can not and will not harm the beetles and vice versa and the beetles will clean up the scorpion's leftover insect carcasses and excrement. Would you recommend this or is it unnecessary?

 

[Dry Desert]

Also, I know some people like to keep 1 or 2 Blue Death Feigning Beetles w/ their Desert Hairy Scorpions as the scorpions can not and will not harm the beetles and vice versa and the beetles will clean up the scorpion's leftover insect carcasses and excrement. Would you recommend this or is it unnecessary?

As you've not decided on the species you really want, and have so many questions it would be better for you to use the search function on this forum.

Top right hand in tool bar.

Just type in the species you're interested in as there are loads of really good care sheets and advice to be found.

Once you have decided what you want then you can arrange the enclosure to suit the scorpion you've chosen.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

As you've not decided on the species you really want, and have so many questions it would be better for you to use the search function on this forum.

Top right hand in tool bar.

Just type in the species you're interested in as there are loads of really good care sheets and advice to be found.

Once you have decided what you want then you can arrange the enclosure to suit the scorpion you've chosen.

I'm still leaning slightly towards the Desert Hairy despite the recommendations towards the AFS, though I may even get both. Idk. They're both available on pinchersandpokies.com.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

Actually a little surprised the Emperor/ASF won this poll. I had thought it was gonna go the other way around. I was the only person who voted for the Desert Hairy Scorpion then, and will still likely get one before an Emperor/ASF. I just think they're cooler, and will be more interesting to watch.

 

[CRX]

Actually a little surprised the Emperor/ASF won this poll. I had thought it was gonna go the other way around. I was the only person who voted for the Desert Hairy Scorpion then, and will still likely get one before an Emperor/ASF. I just think they're cooler, and will be more interesting to watch.

ASF is simply the easiest one to keep, easiest to not screw up with. There's potential issues Hadrurus can run into in captivity.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

ASF is simply the easiest one to keep, easiest to not screw up with. There's potential issues Hadrurus can run into in captivity.

Yeah I had always thought it was the other way around. I vaguely remember asking around this forum many years back when I was in my teens (27 now) on some very old account of mine that I don't even think exists anymore, was Thawk95 or something like that (searched for it cannot find it so it either no longer exists or I remember the name wrong), what the best beginner scorpion was and a bunch of folks said Desert Hairy cause they require barely any humidity but according to those on this thread that can actually be to their detriment since too much can lead to Mycosis. So I guess I gotta ask - Is it more of a matter of worrying whether substrate gets too moist or do I have to worry about how humid the very air in my room gets? I live in Ohio, so humidity fluctuates a good bit though I haven't really kept track of what my average room humidity is in the summer vs the winter.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

And this is the water bowl I intend to use. Something like this.

 

[CRX]

You don't need to buy a deep bowl like that, just use some lid off a food container or peanut butter jar.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

You don't need to buy a deep bowl like that, just use some lid off a food container or peanut butter jar.

I kinda thought that was a shallow one. It's only 1/2 inch deep and 1.5 inches in diameter. So a little bigger than a bottle cap, but not by much.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

I'm now actually thinking I may perhaps get both a Desert Hairy & an AFS. Idk. We'll see. They're both very cool imo.

 

[darkness975]

H. arizonensis

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

H. arizonensis

If I do get myself a Heterometrus sp. Asian Forest Scorpion too, it'll probably be at least a month or 2 after the Desert Hairy. I have a 15-20 gallon Zilla Critter Cage just layin' around that I used many many years back for an Eastern Collared Lizard I used to own (that thing was MEAN, though that's besides the point) and I feel like it would make a perfect communal setup for 2-3 ASF since it's nice n' large.